Minneapolis River Walk: A Self-Guided Audio Tour in Minneapolis-Saint Paul
Minneapolis-Saint Paul, United States

Minneapolis River Walk: A Self-Guided Audio Tour

Outty Ranking 67 4.2 · 70 traveler reviews1 hoursFrom $12

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September 2026

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Outty Ranking

67/100

Solid Choice. Our proprietary evaluation. How we score

Traveler rating

4.2/5

Based on 70 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

Quick answer

Is Minneapolis River Walk: A Self-Guided Audio Tour worth booking?

Minneapolis River Walk: A Self-Guided Audio Tour is a 1-hour experience in Minneapolis-Saint Paul, United States, from $12 per person. It scores 67 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Solid Choice, based on a 4.2/5 rating across 70 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.

Outty Ranking
67 / 100
Rating
4.2/5 (70)
Duration
1 hours
From
$12 per person

Welcome to Minneapolis, the home of Nerf Balls, the singer and songwriter Prince, and, yes, Zubaz pants. On this self-guided audio tour, you'll stroll along the Mississippi River. Along the way, you’ll hear about: • The

What you get

    About this experience

    Welcome to Minneapolis, the home of Nerf Balls, the singer and songwriter Prince, and, yes, Zubaz pants. On this self-guided audio tour, you'll stroll along the Mississippi River. Along the way, you’ll hear about: • The history of the milling industry in Minneapolis • The massive Washburn A Mill explosion of 1878 • The 35W Bridge collapse of 2007 • The secret history of "Funkytown" • An ugly mansion with 86 TVs • Cougar attacks • The untimely death of Tiny Tim • The hiring of a hitman in St. Paul • ”Untalented but adventurous” German artists, to quote the author Jonathan Raban • How long it takes a single drop of water to travel down the Mississippi – and how long it takes a person to make the same journey This walking tour can be enjoyed on location or even virtually at home with VoiceMap's Continuous Play function which disables the GPS playback. PHOTO CREDITS: Meet Minneapolis

    What's included

    Included

    • VoiceMap App for Android and iOS
    • Lifetime access to this tour in English
    • Offline access to audio, maps, and geodata

    Not included

    • Tickets or entrance fees to any museums or other attractions en route
    • Smartphone and headphones
    • Food and drink
    • Transportation

    What you'll see and do

    1. Open Book

      The tour starts outside the Open Book Literary Center. Here you'll learn about how VoiceMap works, be introduced to the city and hear about the Open Book Literary Center, and all before the walk begins.

      Pass by without stopping

    2. Guthrie Theater

      You'll pass by the Guthrie Theatre and learn about its history and its role as one of Minnesota’s core cultural institutions.

      Pass by without stopping

    3. Mill City Museum

      The tour takes you past the Mill City Museum. As you walk, you'll learn a bit about the museum.

      Pass by without stopping

    4. Mill Ruins Park

      You'll walk past the Mill Ruins Park and while you walk, you'll hear a little about it.

      Pass by without stopping

    5. Upper St. Anthony Lock and Dam

      You'll walk past St Anthony Lock and Dam and hear a bit about it, how it was used and why it is permanently closed.

      Pass by without stopping

    6. St. Anthony Falls

      While you walk, you can see where St Anthony Falls would have been if the dam wasn't built. You'll also hear a bit about the falls.

      Pass by without stopping

    7. You'll walk past a section of the Mississippi River and learn a bit about it while you do so.

      Pass by without stopping

    8. Nicollet Island

      The tour ends in Nicollet Island at the Nicollet Island Pavilion. While you walk there, you'll learn a bit about Nicollet Island and who it was named after.

      Pass by without stopping

    Where it starts and ends

    Meeting point

    Minneapolis-Saint Paul

    The tour starts at the Open Book Literary Center on Washington Ave. Before arrival, please install the VoiceMap mobile app and use the code provided on your confirmation ticket. This is a self-guided audio tour that you can start, pause, or restart at any time and complete at your own pace.

    Hotel pickup

    No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.

    Ends at

    The tour ends at the Nicollet Island Pavilion.

    Before you book

    Cancellation
    For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
    Languages
    en
    Ticket
    Mobile Only
    Runs on
    Every day
    Group size
    Up to 15 travelers per booking
    Operated by
    VoiceMap Audio Tours

    Know before you go

    • Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
    • Suitable for all physical fitness levels

    Photos

    Minneapolis River Walk: A Self-Guided Audio Tour in Minneapolis-Saint Paul, photo 2Minneapolis River Walk: A Self-Guided Audio Tour in Minneapolis-Saint Paul, photo 3Minneapolis River Walk: A Self-Guided Audio Tour in Minneapolis-Saint Paul, photo 4Minneapolis River Walk: A Self-Guided Audio Tour in Minneapolis-Saint Paul, photo 5Minneapolis River Walk: A Self-Guided Audio Tour in Minneapolis-Saint Paul, photo 6Minneapolis River Walk: A Self-Guided Audio Tour in Minneapolis-Saint Paul, photo 7

    What travelers are saying

    Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 70 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.

    Knowledge and storytelling

    6 mentions

    Reviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.

    The guide

    3 mentions

    Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.

    Photo opportunities

    2 mentions

    The views and photo stops come up again and again.

    Traveler reviews

    70 verified traveler reviews for Minneapolis River Walk: A Self-Guided Audio Tour. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

    5 star
    40
    4 star
    17
    3 star
    5
    2 star
    2
    1 star
    6
    Sort
    T330CZdominicg · June 2026

    Blown away on how good this was

    This audio tour was awesome. Could stroll along at your own pace and it would know where you were and start up at the landmarks.

    via Tripadvisor

    Matt_Y · May 2026

    A Pleasant and Educational Stroll

    Well-written and well-delivered audio with tons of interesting facts about the Mississippi River and the points along the route. Highly recommend!

    via Viator

    LAURA F · February 2026

    Learn some Mn history.

    I picked this as I had an offer to use. Today was close to 50 degrees outside in Mn. There was times the wind was right in your face. We tried to do with the car - hard to follow walking path. The very start of the video was not very clear where you were to be on the stone bridge, possible on walking path below. So the video kept repeating the same statement like 3 times. I would really like to know next time how many miles total for the walk, I believe this one was about a 5 mile walk.

    via Tripadvisor

    mrza74 · October 2025

    Breathtaking river views and captivating stories.

    I really enjoyed the tour. Thank you so much. The stories were endearing and interesting and made me want to read the book Under Purple Skies and sail down to New Orleans. I took way too many photos but posted the best ones here. Thanks again.

    via Tripadvisor

    Carol_H · September 2025

    Interesting walk

    Fun self guided walking tour of this beautiful, historic and interesting part of the city along the river. Nice narrative, easy to follow and good humor kept it enjoyable and informative. Open Book is a great starting place (go in) and parking was easy on the street. I grew up here and am happy I finally got to spend some time in this area!

    via Viator

    Good to know

    Duration
    1 hours
    Free cancellation
    Up to 24h before
    Minimum age to book
    All ages
    Availability
    Bookable today
    Runs on
    Every day
    Hotel pickup
    No pickup, meet at start point
    Booked in 30 days
    25
    Verdict
    Solid Choice

    Why this scores 67

    The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.

    Traveler sentiment (30% weight)50
    Review evidence (18% weight)74
    Booking momentum (14% weight)69
    Value for money (12% weight)100
    Listing quality (10% weight)85
    Local standing (8% weight)7
    Booking flexibility (8% weight)100

    Minneapolis River Walk: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: questions travelers ask

    Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Minneapolis-Saint Paul.

    How much does Minneapolis River Walk: A Self-Guided Audio Tour cost?

    +

    Prices start at $12 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Minneapolis-Saint Paul usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.

    How long does Minneapolis River Walk: A Self-Guided Audio Tour take?

    +

    Plan for about 1 hour from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Minneapolis-Saint Paul is not rushed.

    Is Minneapolis River Walk: A Self-Guided Audio Tour worth it?

    +

    It holds an Outty Ranking of 67 out of 100, which we label "Solid Choice". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.2/5 across 70 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Minneapolis-Saint Paul, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.

    Can I cancel or reschedule Minneapolis River Walk: A Self-Guided Audio Tour?

    +

    Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.

    Is Minneapolis River Walk: A Self-Guided Audio Tour suitable for kids and families?

    +

    Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 1-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.

    How far in advance should I book Minneapolis River Walk: A Self-Guided Audio Tour?

    +

    Around 25 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Minneapolis-Saint Paul can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.

    What should I bring or wear?

    +

    Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Minneapolis-Saint Paul and add a light layer if any part of the 1-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.

    Where does Minneapolis River Walk: A Self-Guided Audio Tour start and how do I get there?

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    The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Minneapolis-Saint Paul within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.

    What are the best things to do in Minneapolis-Saint Paul?

    +

    The Twin Cities cover Mississippi mill district history, chain of lakes bike and paddle tours, Mall of America trips, brewery crawls in Northeast and winter ice experiences. Seasonal swing is extreme, so honest weather guidance matters. On Outty we rank every Minneapolis-Saint Paul experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include The Escape Game: Epic 60-Minute Adventures at the Mall of America, Narrated Scenic Tour on the Minneapolis Trolley, St. Paul Historic Cave Tour. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.

    When is the best time to visit Minneapolis-Saint Paul?

    +

    June to September, with winter activities from December to February. Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.

    How many days do you need in Minneapolis-Saint Paul?

    +

    Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.

    Do I book through Outty or through the operator?

    +

    Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.

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